The Flaming Lips - The Terror
Bella Union/ Warner Bros 2013By Oscar Nicholas
A euphoric mist. The sound of The Flaming Lips latest LP The Terror is beautiful by complicated, uncomfortable means. The records builds you to a state of venerability then slams you with backward synths and gorgeous bass.Points of the album are repetitive, and your thoughts may drift whilst listening. However the experience is of worth if only for the opening track Look... The Sun Is Rising. The track is made of an array of synths, drum loops and trebley guitar. Do not let the name of the opening track fool you though, The Terror is not exactly chirpy.
The sound is designed for the niche audience, it is an abstract piece of art that makes sense on a theatrical level. It is not something you play your nan, or anyone who enjoys Michael Buble. Most songs on the album do not stretch further than one or two chords yet the different abstract, experimental sounds add the texture. Much in the way The Flaming lips' previous album Embryonic made its own rules, The Terror does so too. This time though the music feels more sincere and nurtured.
Some of the longer tracks such as, You Lust, which is just under the ten minute mark give you the feeling of conquering a marathon once finished. In some senses it is satisfactory but I wouldn't do it on a daily bases.
Tracks on The Terror feel as though they've been designed to fit with The Flaming Lips amazing live performances. Synths are perfect reflections to the lighting effects and theatrics Wayne Coyne and co deliver on stage.
It is a statement to the band that in the late stage in their career they are still pushing forward their sound. And once through the noise and twirls within The Terror we are given All You Need Is Love, a Beatles' cover done Flaming Lips style. The mellow, reverb filled track is finished with Wayne telling us "I love you", is that not just what you need after all those antics.
Rating: 7
